General News

Bismarck, ND – North Dakota's economic growth is slowing down.State Budget Director Rod Backman says you could term it a mild recession, even though it doesn't fit the classic definition of two straight negative quarters. But Backman says the state budget has enough of a cushion to help it through.Backman says the analysis by the state's economic forecasting agency was done before the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Bismarck, ND – Lawmakers continue to struggle with just how many legislative districts will emerge from the reapportionment process.

The Redistricting committee has agreed to look at plans for 47, 49, 51 and 52 districts. The Legislature currently has 49 districts.

Republican Senator Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks says he would prefer that the Legislature be reduced in size. Holmberg says given the recent cutbacks in school districts and the number of judgeships, now is NOT the time to be increasing the size of the Legislature.

The bill--which includes a 170-billion dollar overhaul of federal farm programs--Dorgan says is better than the current freedom to farm bill but it is not enough to do what is necessary for family farmers in North Dakota and around the nation.

Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says already, more people have died on state highways than lost their lives in crashes in all of last year.And the Patrol says if the trend continues, another 25 to 30 people may be killed between now and Christmas. Patrol Superintendent Colonel Jim Hughes says drinking and driving, and NOT buckling up, are main reasons why people get killed on the highway. Hughes says Patrol officers have already logged thousands of hours of overtime this year to help prevent fatalities.